Essential infrastructure at risk: all schools, health centers and residences in flood-prone areas

Palm36.5% of Campos' population lives in flood-prone areas, the highest percentage in the Balearic Islands, according to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. Marratxí, with 33%, and Palma, with 18.9%, also far exceed the regional average of 9.5%. In Sóller, the risk is also significant: 15.1% of its inhabitants live in areas susceptible to flooding. In contrast, in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar—where the tragic flash flood of 2018 claimed 13 lives—only 3.6% of residents live in flood-prone areas, while in Ibiza, where the DANA storm of October affected large areas and even forced the expansion of flood zones, the percentage of affected areas was much higher. The figures show that the risk of flooding is concentrated mainly in Mallorca, especially in the Palma conurbation, in the Levante area, where urban sprawl and proximity to torrents increase its vulnerability.

Most, but not all, of the public and private buildings located in flood-prone areas were built before the danger was fully understood, a danger now confirmed by various studies and reports. For this reason, experts are calling for, firstly, a ban on new construction in the identified areas (no building is permitted on rural land at risk of flooding) and, secondly, for the protection, as far as possible, of the existing population and infrastructure.

The following details most of the essential infrastructure located in areas with a high or very high risk of flooding within a 500-year return period. These include schools, health centers, residences, and public facilities spread across various municipalities. Most are concentrated in Palma and Marratxí, municipalities with rapid urban growth, a high density of public infrastructure, and a constantly increasing population density.

PALMA

Educational centers

• High risk: CEI Es Molinar, CEIP Es Molinar, CEIP Es Vivero, CEIP Virgen de Lucas, IES Son Rullán, CEIP Son Rullán, Escuela Nave, Escuela Toth Educativo, CEIP Son Oliva, CIFP Junípero Serra, CEI Luna de Papel, Escuela de Educación Infantil María Mut y Mandilen Paula Torres, CIFP Francisco de Borja Moll, CEI Petit Angelet, CEI Estrellitas, IES Nou Levante.
• Very high risk: IES Son Pacs, Koala Polígono, CEPA Amanecer, ADEMA University School of Dentistry, CEI Ángel de la Guarda, CEIP Rafal Nou, CC San Pedro, Diversity and Intercultural Support Team, CEIP Son Canales, CEIP Juan Capo, CC San José Obrero CEIP Rafal Viejo, CC Pedro Poveda, CEIP La Soledad, San José Obrero Authorized Music Center, CC Juan de la Cierva, CEI Son Fuster Nou, IES Antoni Maura, CEP Palma, Palma-2 Educational Guidance Team, CC San Vicente de Paúl, Mallorca Behavioral Disorders Team.

Nursing homes

• High risk: Amadiba Multipurpose Center II.
• Very high risk: Bulnes Residence, Son Güells Residence.

Penitentiary centers

• High risk: Mallorca Penitentiary Center.
• Very high risk:Joaquín Ruiz Giménez Cortés Social Integration Center.

Health centers

• High risk: Son Rullán Health Centre.
• Very high risk: Arquitecto Bennàssar Health Center, Rafal Nou Health Center, Es Molinar Basic Health Unit, Virgen de la Salud Hospital.

The future Son Ferriol Secondary School, a long-standing demand of the town's residents, will also face risks, as it will be located on the edge of a flood zone, as can be seen in the two photos below. The future fairgrounds, covering between 18,000 and 20,000 square meters, will be built on the same plot of land. While it will be considerably further from the flood zone, both the PSIB and MÁS parties have denounced the project, claiming it will push the secondary school right up against the Manacor highway. In the event of heavy rain, the school would very likely be affected. The Nou de Campos Primary School, which opened in the 2024-2025 academic year, is also located within a flood zone.

MARRACHÍ

Educational centers

• High risk:La Salle Puente de Inca, CC Es Liceu, IES Can Balo, Centro Educativo 101 Dálmates, IES Marratxí, Puente de Inca Nou Early Childhood Education School, CEI Santa Catalina Thomàs, CC Santa Teresa.
• Very high risk:Es Pinaret Socio-educational Centre, CEIP Ses Cases Noves, CEIP Blanquerna, Authorized Music Centre Obrador Músicos Marratxí.

Nursing homes

• Very high risk:Brot de Gínjol Municipal Day Center and SAR Quavitae Can Carbonell Residence.

Health centers

• High risk: Es Pont d'Inca Health Centre.
• Very high risk: Mountain Health Center.

SÓLLER

Educational centers

• High risk: Montaura Nursery School.
• Very high risk:CEIP Es Fossaret, Escoleta Luna.

Nursing homes

• Very high risk: Fontsana Residence.

Health centers

• Very high risk: Quironsalud Medical Center.

FIELDS

Educational centers

• High risk: Los Taperons Infant Education School, CEIP Nou de Campos, De Raíz Infant Education School, Llueve y Fa Sol Infant Education School.
• Very high risk: CC Fray Joan Ballester, EOEP General Campos.

CALVIÀ

Educational centers

• Very high risk: CEIP Ses Rotes Velles and the Santa Ponça Early Childhood Education School.

Health centers

• Very high risk: Santa Ponça Health Center.

SANT LLORENÇ DES CARDASAR

Educational centers

• Very high risk:Card. Early Childhood Education School

IBIZA

Health centers

• High risk: Vila Health Centre.

Palma has the highest concentration of at-risk infrastructure, with over 40 affected schools, as well as two nursing homes, two prisons, and five healthcare facilities. Marratxí is the second most vulnerable municipality, with a dozen schools and several nursing homes and healthcare facilities. In Sóller and Campos, the risk is also high, especially for schools and preschools located near streams. Calvià and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar have specific areas at very high risk, particularly preschools and health centers near low-lying areas. In Ibiza, only one healthcare facility—Talamanca—is listed as being at high risk of flooding. The information reveals significant vulnerability of educational and social infrastructure in Mallorca, especially in Palma and Marratxí, where the risk of flooding is high or very high in more than fifty public and private facilities. How did this situation arise?

The area built on flood-prone land in Palma has increased 35-fold in just over half a century. While only seven hectares were occupied in 1956, by 2018 this figure had risen to over 251, according to a study by geographer and current director of RiscBal, Joan Estrany. "Most of this development occurred as a result of the tourism boom, with the massive influx of new residents. No consideration was given at any point to the fact that many of these houses were being built on flood-prone areas," the researcher lamented in statements to ARA Baleares.

This uncontrolled construction and real estate speculation have left a deep mark on the territory: today at least 150,000 people live in flood-prone areas in the Balearic Islands, according to Estrany. "In Palma and Marratxí alone, there are already 123,000," he specifies. Despite the fact that the State has perfectly identified flood-prone areas, the granting of building permits "has continued unabated, regardless of the land's condition," denounces an urban planning expert who prefers to remain anonymous. He explains that partial plans and urban development projects have been approved on both rural and urban land without respecting these risk maps, both in Palma and in the rest of the islands' municipalities.